TELESCOPE-MAKERS 381 



Aluminium glasses are all very well for yachting in 

 calm weather, but are too light for use on the top of 

 some of the hills, such as Scour-na-Lapich, etc., and 

 are often nearly blown out of one's hand. With the 

 binocular I have made mention of I have often saved 

 the loss of many a sovereign, for its field is very large 

 and covers any amount of ground. 



After spying for years through a Ross, or any other 

 glass, and using one eye only, that eye, in middle and 

 old age, becomes naturally weaker ; therefore the use 

 of a good binocular, such as I have spoken of, is invalu- 

 able ; and there must be many makers who are capable 

 of turning out a glass equally good as my own in every 

 particular, if they take the trouble. 



This weakening of the eye constantly used is a very 

 serious drawback to the use of telescopes, as after 

 a time the left eye, where the sight is termed ' long- 

 sight,' becomes the 'master eye,' and the right eye, 

 becoming gradually weaker, very much militates 

 against quick shooting with both eyes open. A 

 binocular is just as light as, and indeed lighter than, 

 a telescope, and is capable of being very much im- 

 proved upon for deer-stalking purposes, and by its 

 use the sight of one eye cannot be tried more than 

 that of the other, and both will wear equally well until 

 old age prevents the deer-stalker from using his legs. 



Possibly the foregoing remarks may induce opticians 

 to turn out something which is light, and handy when 

 crawling after deer. 



Nothing is more irritating than a wet glass when on 

 the hill ; therefore a glass should never be used until 

 the mist or rain has cleared off, and nothing is more 

 trying to the eye than a dim or dirty glass. 



